Derek Willies grew up in California rooting for USC, but once he moved to the state of Iowa in his freshman year of high school, he started to adopt the Iowa Hawkeyes as the team he follows in college football.

On Friday, the three star wide receiver, who moved to Rock Island High School in January, made an unofficial visit to Iowa City and walked out of the Hawkeye Football complex with a scholarship offer from Coach Kirk Ferentz.

"It was great to get the offer from Iowa," Willies said. "I talked to all of the coaches and they made me feel very welcome and wanted there. I talked to the new offensive coordinator, Greg Davis, Coach Campell, the receivers coach, and then I talked to Coach Ferentz. They were all really very nice and I feel like I could really fit in well with them."

The 6-foot-3 and 190 pound wide receiver played last season at Burlington High School said it was very tempting to just take the offer when it was put on the table on Friday afternoon.

"It was hard not to say yes right there. My guardian kind of told me to just wait and see what happens and not jump into a commitment at that moment."

While he wasn't ready to make a verbal commitment on Friday, the 6-foot-3 and 190 pound wide receiver says the Hawkeyes are his clear leader after the offer. He recently also picked up a scholarship offer from Iowa State and holds offers from Illinois State and Northern Illinois. He plans to visit Ames this week and has a trip to Northern Illinois later this month.

"It's been real exciting to get these offers this week," he said. "I want to take a few more visits and then when I know it is the right time, I will make a commitment."

This spring, Willies is participating in track at Rock Island High School. He says he run a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and currently runs the 110 and 300 hurdles, along with the anchor leg of the 4 x 100 and the first leg of the 4 x 400 relays.